Japan Sets Sight on Development of Iran’s Chabahar Port

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Japanese government has expressed willingness to contribute to the development of the southeastern Iranian port of Chabahar, a report said.

According to a report by Japan's Nikkei newspaper on Saturday, Tokyo hopes to join India and play a role in the construction of port of Chabahar, which is set to include a port and an industrial complex.

In April, the Indian government announced plans to invest some $20 billion to build fertilizer and petrochemical plants at Chabahar.

The report further said Tokyo is keen to build stronger ties with Tehran, adding Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hopes to reach a deal during a planned visit to the Iranian capital later this year.

The Japanese government hopes to start drawing up specific plans for Chabahar development by the end of this year through the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Chabahar is the closest and best access point of Iran to the Indian Ocean and Iran has devised serious plans to turn it into a transit hub for immediate access to markets in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and the Central Asia.